Title: "Knocked Up"
Director: Judd Apatow
Producer: J. Apatow, S. Robertson, S. Rogen, E. Goldberg
Editing: C. Alpert and B. White
Composer: Loudon Wainright III and Joe Henry
Starring:
- Seth Rogen as Ben Stone
- Katherine Heigl as Alison Scott
- Paul Rudd as Pete
- Leslie Mann as Debbie
Plot and Critical Review: Ben Stone is a lazy, dimwitted, and immature 23-year-old Jewish Canadian and claimed illegal immigrant from Vancouver, BC. He lives off funds received in compensation for an injury and sporadically works on a Mr. Skin-like website with his roommates in between smoking marijuana with them. Alison Scott is a career-minded woman who has just been given an on-air role with E! Entertainment Television, and is living with her sister Debbie's family. While celebrating her promotion, Alison meets Ben at a local night club and, after a night of drinking, they have sex. Due to a misunderstanding, they do not use protection. The following morning, they quickly learn over breakfast that they have little in common and go their separate ways.
Eight weeks later, Alison discovers she is pregnant. She contacts Ben for the first time since their one-night stand to tell him the news. Although taken aback, Ben says he will be there to support Alison. While he is still unsure about being a parent, his father is overjoyed and tells him that Ben was the best thing that ever happened to him. Alison's mother tries to convince her daughter to have an abortion, but Alison decides to keep the child. Later, Alison and Ben decide to give their relationship a chance. The odd couple's efforts include Ben making an awkward marriage proposal with a ring box without a ring, promising to get her one someday. Alison thinks it is too early to think about marriage because she is more concerned with hiding the pregnancy from her boss.
After a somewhat promising beginning, tensions surface in the relationship. Alison is increasingly anxious over Ben's lack of responsibility and has doubts about the longevity of their relationship. These thoughts race through her mind due to her sister's unhappy marriage. Debbie's husband Pete works as a talent scout for rock bands, but he leaves at odd hours of the night which makes Debbie suspect he is having an affair. Upon investigating, she learns that he is actually part of a fantasy baseball draft, which he explains that he needs to have some time free from Debbie's controlling manner. Similarly, Ben feels that Alison is overly controlling. As a result of Pete's confession to his wife, they decide to split up because Pete feels he cannot connect with Debbie and vice-versa. Alison is further convinced Ben will not be supportive after seeing he has not read books on child birth he had bought and promised to read earlier. While driving to the doctor's office, they erupt into a furious argument, resulting in Ben getting kicked out of the car and walking the remaining three miles. Upon finally arriving, another argument occurs with Ben blaming Alison's hormones for making her this way, and in response, she tells him that it would be better if they stopped seeing each other.
After the breakup, Ben decides to go with Pete on a road trip to Las Vegas where decide to return and take responsibility in their relationships. Eventually, Pete and Debbie reconcile at their daughter's birthday party. When Ben tries to work things out with Alison, she is still reluctant to get back together with him since she feels they are different and have little in common. At the same time, her boss finds out about her pregnancy, but this has increased ratings among female viewers. After an unsuccessful talk with his father, Ben decides to take responsibility and starts reading the birth books. He goes to great effort to change his ways, including moving out of his friends' house, getting a real job and an apartment with a room for the baby. Additionally, Ben starts reading the books about pregnancy that he had purchased earlier.
Director: Judd Apatow
Producer: J. Apatow, S. Robertson, S. Rogen, E. Goldberg
Editing: C. Alpert and B. White
Composer: Loudon Wainright III and Joe Henry
Starring:
- Seth Rogen as Ben Stone
- Katherine Heigl as Alison Scott
- Paul Rudd as Pete
- Leslie Mann as Debbie
Plot and Critical Review: Ben Stone is a lazy, dimwitted, and immature 23-year-old Jewish Canadian and claimed illegal immigrant from Vancouver, BC. He lives off funds received in compensation for an injury and sporadically works on a Mr. Skin-like website with his roommates in between smoking marijuana with them. Alison Scott is a career-minded woman who has just been given an on-air role with E! Entertainment Television, and is living with her sister Debbie's family. While celebrating her promotion, Alison meets Ben at a local night club and, after a night of drinking, they have sex. Due to a misunderstanding, they do not use protection. The following morning, they quickly learn over breakfast that they have little in common and go their separate ways.
Eight weeks later, Alison discovers she is pregnant. She contacts Ben for the first time since their one-night stand to tell him the news. Although taken aback, Ben says he will be there to support Alison. While he is still unsure about being a parent, his father is overjoyed and tells him that Ben was the best thing that ever happened to him. Alison's mother tries to convince her daughter to have an abortion, but Alison decides to keep the child. Later, Alison and Ben decide to give their relationship a chance. The odd couple's efforts include Ben making an awkward marriage proposal with a ring box without a ring, promising to get her one someday. Alison thinks it is too early to think about marriage because she is more concerned with hiding the pregnancy from her boss.
After a somewhat promising beginning, tensions surface in the relationship. Alison is increasingly anxious over Ben's lack of responsibility and has doubts about the longevity of their relationship. These thoughts race through her mind due to her sister's unhappy marriage. Debbie's husband Pete works as a talent scout for rock bands, but he leaves at odd hours of the night which makes Debbie suspect he is having an affair. Upon investigating, she learns that he is actually part of a fantasy baseball draft, which he explains that he needs to have some time free from Debbie's controlling manner. Similarly, Ben feels that Alison is overly controlling. As a result of Pete's confession to his wife, they decide to split up because Pete feels he cannot connect with Debbie and vice-versa. Alison is further convinced Ben will not be supportive after seeing he has not read books on child birth he had bought and promised to read earlier. While driving to the doctor's office, they erupt into a furious argument, resulting in Ben getting kicked out of the car and walking the remaining three miles. Upon finally arriving, another argument occurs with Ben blaming Alison's hormones for making her this way, and in response, she tells him that it would be better if they stopped seeing each other.
After the breakup, Ben decides to go with Pete on a road trip to Las Vegas where decide to return and take responsibility in their relationships. Eventually, Pete and Debbie reconcile at their daughter's birthday party. When Ben tries to work things out with Alison, she is still reluctant to get back together with him since she feels they are different and have little in common. At the same time, her boss finds out about her pregnancy, but this has increased ratings among female viewers. After an unsuccessful talk with his father, Ben decides to take responsibility and starts reading the birth books. He goes to great effort to change his ways, including moving out of his friends' house, getting a real job and an apartment with a room for the baby. Additionally, Ben starts reading the books about pregnancy that he had purchased earlier.
Alison goes into labor and is not able to contact her doctor, forcing her to call Ben due to Debbie and Pete being out of town. Ben also tries to contact her gynecologist, but finds out that he is unavailable as well. During labor, Alison apologizes for doubting Ben's commitment and admits that she never thought the man who got her pregnant would be the right one for her. A while later, Debbie and Pete arrive, but Ben, still angry over Debbie's influence on Alison, makes them wait outside, as he wishes to take care of Alison himself. When Debbie protests, Ben threatens to have security escort her out of the hospital if she does not comply, which finally convinces Debbie that Ben is the right guy for Alison. The couple welcomes the birth of a baby girl and settle down happily together in a new apartment in LA.
"Knocked Up" did well at the box office and has since gone on to earn significant fame on DVD and Blu-Ray. It was also placed in multiple Top 10 lists by critics rating the best films in 2007; an uncommon feat for a comedy as crass and crude as "Knocked Up" is.
My Rating: 6/10
Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-4 - Constant abrasive and abusive language.
DU-4 - Drinking and a significant amount of marijuana abuse.
RT-2 - There are a few scenes in which Jewish characters
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-5 - Lots of sexual and abusive humor toward sex, women, and marriage.
S/N-3 - One scene of sexual intimacy and frontal nudity in the birth scene.
The "Reel Revelation": "Small Beginnings"
"Knocked Up" is the sort of film that most Christians would probably try to avoid, and for good reason. It's full of sinful behavior, hurtful language, inappropriate content, and a general lack of morality. But it's important to look deeper than what we see on the surface. Remember that we are all as vile and dirty and wicked as this movie, but God (through Christ) sees us as His beautiful children. I don't offer that sentiment to vindicate this film, but to encourage you not to shy away from films of this nature because some of the content isn't favorable to Christian ethical standards. With that said, my reflection tonight is not on the film itself, but the first cinematic appearance of a very gifted actor.
Dr. Ken Jeong ("Dr.", for he is a licensed physician) was born into an ordinary American family. He lived a rather ordinary childhood and went to ordinary (although highly praised) schools to earn his undergraduate and medical degrees. All the while Ken was slowly developing a rather unordinary gift of comedy. When his talents were noticed by folks in the television industry, he was encouraged to move out to Los Angeles and start work as a stand-up comedian. Rather suddenly his simple and ordinary life was transformed into the life of a television star. In 2007 he was cast as Dr. Kuni (a small and forgettable role) in Judd Apatow's "Knocked Up" and the world was introduced to the comedic genius of Ken Jeong. A few movies later he was cast to play Mr. Chow in "The Hangover"; a role that would launch him into the stratosphere of popularity and fame. Jeong is now starring in the NBC sitcom "Community" alongside comedy legend Chevy Chase and is on track to make many more films that will showcase his comedic talent. Isn't it amazing how small beginnings can lead to such great achievements?
Like "Dr. Ken", we're all made to endure small beginnings in our own lives. Most of the time we don't mind because we're aren't aware that we're starting "small" or "smaller" than anyone else. But for those who experience drive and motivation early in life (or in any phase, really), the restrictions of "small beginnings" can be frustrating. Thankfully, the Bible is full of people who experienced "small beginnings" but went on to lead lives of incalculable importance. Consider some of these well-known Biblical figures:
- Abraham was a wanderer.
- Moses was an endangered Hebrew baby.
- David was one of Jesse's eight sons.
- Jeremiah and Timothy were just young men.
- Peter was a fisherman.
- Mary was a young Jewish girl.
All of these people had "small beginnings", but God had big things in mind for each of them.
Has someone ever told you "I know you'll do great things!"? Every time someone tells me that I feel fortunate for their encouragement, but I almost always end up thinking 'Yeah, "great things" if I can ever get out of the place I am at right now.' Do you ever feel like you're stuck with the same "small beginnings" you started with?
When God called Israel to be His people, Israel was nothing impressive. They were a small nation of nomadic people who had just undergone 40-years of testing and trial in the desert. Yet God chose them even though they were in the midst of the smallest of all beginnings. He also chose them because of the promise He made to Abraham many years before. These are the words Moses used as an admonition for Israel to remain upright and holy:
"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all peoples who are on the face of the Earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all the peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)
For whatever reason, we seem to think that we have to always be moving forward and onto bigger and better things. "Better" can be a dangerous word for people who don't know how to find contentment where they're at in life. Instead of finding peace and joy in the moment (small as it might be) there's a constant struggle (within and without) to find what pleases, satisfies, impresses, and fulfills. While there's a very natural and God-given drive to keep moving forward, there's no reason to think that our "small beginnings" have to be bad ones. Remember that even though Moses and Abraham and Mary started small, God's call was on their life when they were living ordinary and simple lives. God's call is on your life, too, no matter how small your beginning.
See you tomorrow - E.T.
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